On July 27th, eight Camden Academy juniors with the Career Now Program visited St. Joseph’s Carpenter Society for a hands-on carpentry experience. Many of the students had previously visited St. Joseph’s during their sophomore year, giving them some familiarity with working with different tools and learning basic construction skills.
During their visit, students were challenged with building a planter box. They were provided with the necessary tools, materials, and instructions needed to complete the project from start to finish.
The students measured twice, cut once, drilled, screwed, and hammered their way through the process. Working together, they applied their skills, followed safety procedures, and gained valuable experience in craftsmanship and problem-solving. By the end of the session, students had built their own planter boxes while continuing to develop skills that can be used both inside and outside the classroom.
Ms. Waller, the carpentry teacher at Camden Academy, shared her thoughts on the students and their work.
“Watching them work together was great to see. They work well together as a team. They did well as sophomores, and as they start to work now, they’re becoming more cohesive.”
During the week, students will continue working on different projects. The planter box is just the beginning.
Christopher Lucas, one of the juniors in attendance, explained how his day went while completing the project.
“Today’s project was kind of hard, and I struggled a little bit with some steps. I did manage to get some help in order to complete the project,” Lucas said. “My favorite part of the project was cutting the boards and screwing them together. They were easy to do, and I got the hang of it.”
The students worked together to make sure the planter boxes were completed on time and built with care. Hands-on learning, teamwork, and determination made the project possible.